BTN.com staff, November 19, 2012

On TV, you could watch our continuing live coverage of the news that Maryland will join the Big Ten Conference in 2014 (find BTN on your TV system here). Online, you could watch that same coverage via BTN2Go. Learn more about BTN2Go over here.

Joining the BTN TV show: Former Maryland and Ohio State men's basketball coach Gary Williams, Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News (@tsnmike), Michigan Athletic Director Dave Brandon (@DaveBrandonAD), and Penn State acting AD Dave Joyner.

[RELATED: Clothes Call: Meet the Maryland Terps]

The University of Maryland's press conference in College Park included remarks from University President Wallace D. Loh, University System of Maryland Chancellor Brit Kirwan, Maryland Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson and Big Ten Commissioner James E. Delany. 

Watch Chancellor William E. Kirwan opening statement:

The news came quickly this weekend and became official Monday when the university is announcing its move from the Atlantic Coast Conference. Read the full AP story here. Later, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany told the Associated Press says the addition of Maryland to the conference was a response to the recent trend of college leagues expanding outside their traditional regions.

The Big Ten released these statements just before the press conference:

?Today is a watershed moment for the University of Maryland,? said university president Dr. Wallace D. Loh.  ?Membership in the Big Ten Conference is in the strategic interest of the University of Maryland.  It will not only ensure the financial vitality of Maryland Athletics for decades to come, but the extensive opportunities in the CIC for collaborations with our peer AAU and flagship universities in education, research, and innovation will boost the University of Maryland?s ascendancy in academic excellence.?

 ?The Big Ten Presidents and Chancellors are pleased to welcome the University of Maryland to the Big Ten Conference," said COP/C Chair and University of Iowa President Sally Mason.  ?The University of Maryland is one of the premier public research universities in the country and represents a natural alignment with our other member institutions.  Their top-ranked academic and athletic programs will be a tremendous addition to our conference.?

BTN.com's Tom Dienhart takes a look at what this means competitively on the football field.

On a related note, here are the sports that Maryland competes in (learn more at UMTerps.com):

  • Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Outdoor Track & Field, and Wrestling
  • Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Outdoor Track & Field, Indoor Track & Field, and Volleyball.

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